Pack your kete for Pasifika today – but some roads are closed

Press Release – Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development
If you’re heading to Pasifika Festival this weekend, come prepared to make the most of the two day event celebrating Auckland’s unique Pacific heritage and culture.

With thousands of people expected at the festival, event organiser Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) recommends you plan ahead.

“Pasifika Festival is like no other event. It’s best to have a plan to get there, as well as how you’re going to soak up as much of the experience as possible,” says Stan Wolfgramm, ATEED’s Pasifika Event Producer.

Plan your journey – visit www.at.co.nz[1] to check bus and train timetables. If you need to bring your car think about parking options because spaces will be limited.

There will be some road closures around the event to ensure safety which may affect your route to the festival.Stadium Road will be closed from 5pm on Friday, 8 March until 7pm on Sunday, 10 March.

Great North Road (between Motions and St Lukes roads) will be closed from 5am to 9am on Saturday, 9 March.

Bullock Track will be closed from 9am to 5pm on both days. Resident access will be from the Mill Road end of Bullock Track.

Plan your itinerary – allow at least three hours at the festival to get a taste of all the Pacific Islands and what the villages have to offer. There will be different performances over the two days so consider coming on both Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday is the traditional Pasifika Festival – a bustling market place and a great line up of song and dance performances in all 10 villages.

Sunday features a combined church service in the morning, followed by another day of great food, stalls and performances in the Aotearoa, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue villages, as well as the Pan Pacific village.
The festival will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 9 March and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, 10 March. The combined church service featuring a 300 strong choir will be held from 9am to 10am on Sunday at the Prosperity Stage.Pack a bag – with sunscreen, hat and cash (there will be some EFTPOS and cash-out facilities but these will incur a transaction fee). Care is taken to ensure the event is affordable.

Pasifika is a great for families and an alcohol-free event. There may be bag searches.

Press Release – Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development
This weekend, all the culture, colour and creativity of the Pacific will once again be showcased at Western Springs Park, home of the two-day Pasifika Festival. Perfect weather is forecast and with more than 1,500 performers, 150 food dishes and 220 stalls, this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the biggest Pasifika Festivals.

There will be a range of new experiences this year with only authentic food served in the villages, a new cultural showcase area in each village as well as a Pasifika Festival church service from 9am to 10am on Sunday.

For everything you need to know about Pasifika Festival 2013, visit our new website at AucklandNZ.com/Pasifika[3]. It has the latest event information including a breakdown on what to expect and a map of the event to help you plan your itinerary around the villages.

Planning your trip to Pasifika this weekend?
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the event:
• Plan your journey – visit www.at.co.nz[5] to check bus and train timetables. Designated parking areas are available at Western Springs College, TAPAC and at MOTAT Meola Road for a charge of $10. Alternatively, you can get the FREE park and ride from Unitec on Carrington Road to the festival.
• Plan your itinerary – allow at least three hours at the festival to get a taste of all the Pacific Islands and what the villages have to offer. There will be different performances over the two days so consider coming on both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday is the Pasifika Festival you know and love – a bustling market place and a great line up of song and dance performances in all 10 villages.
Sunday features a combined church service in the morning, followed by another day of great food, stalls and performances in the Aotearoa, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands and Niue villages, as well as the Pan Pacific village.
The festival will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, 9 March and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, 10 March. The combined church service featuring a 300-strong choir will be held from 9am to 10am on Sunday at the Prosperity stage.
• Pack a bag – with sunscreen, hat and cash (there will be some EFTPOS and cash-out facilities but these will incur a transaction fee).
We look forward to seeing you at the 21st Pasifika Festival this weekend.